Malatya, known as the land of apricots, is a city in the Eastern Anatolia Region with a population of approximately 800 thousand. Malatya, one of the most beautiful corners of Anatolia with its modern city life, lively streets and natural beauties, is an important center of attraction with its dam lakes.
It is known that the city, which was named as Melita in Kültepe tablets and as Maldia in Hittite tablets, was a part of the Cappadocia Kingdom in the past. The first settlement in the city, which is located in the strategic region of Anatolia, dates back to 6,000 BC.
Malatya Attractions
Located in the Eastern Anatolia Region, with the Euphrates River in the east and the Taurus Mountains in the south, Malatya was dominated by different civilizations such as the Medes, Persians, Hittites, Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire in the past.
Located 94 km from the city center, Mount Nemrut is at an altitude of 2,150 meters above sea level. This settlement, which sheds light on the history of humanity, is flooded with visitors especially in the spring and summer months. It is quite enjoyable to watch the sunrise in the area bearing the traces of the Kommagane Kingdom and to take a journey among the giant statues.
Among the places to visit in Malatya, Silahtar Mustafa Pasha Caravanserai, Melih Sunullah Mosque and Ulu Mosque are treasures from the past to the present in the city center. Arslantepe Mound, one of Turkey's largest archaeological sites, is located 7 km northeast of Malatya. The mound, which is 30 meters high, is in a structure where Roman and Byzantine influences can be seen.
Sultansuyu, Karakaya Dam and Levent Valley are among the natural beauties that can be seen in the city, where historical mosques, madrasahs, inns and baths can be seen in every corner of the city.
Folk dances are one of the most important heritages in the city, where cultural and artistic activities and traces of local culture are kept alive from the past to the present. Yeşilyurt Cherry Culture and Art Festival held in June, Arguvan Culture and Art Festival and Culture, Art and Apricot Festival held in July, Yazıhan Culture and Art Festival held in August are among the organizations that attract visitors to the city.
In the city adorned with apricot orchards, one should not return without eating Malatya apricots. Visiting Old Malatya, Arslantepe and the Archeology Museum, seeing Mount Nemrut, eating paper kebabs, and shopping at the Şire Bazaar, where local products are sold, are among the must-do things in the city.
Carving has also developed in the streets of Malatya, where souvenirs from handicrafts are found. You are in the right place for copper kitchen appliances, carpet making, rug making, wood carving. The Grand Bazaar and Coppersmiths' Market are the places to go to see these handicrafts. Apricots and sweet varieties can also be tried in the souvenir shops lined up side by side in the city center. For these shops, you can stop by Atatürk, Milli Egemenlik and İnönü streets.
What to Eat in Malatya
In Malatya cuisine, where meat and wheat are the main ingredients, there are more than 50 types of meatballs made with wheat. Gilgirikli meatballs, analıkızlı meatballs, apple meatballs, spinach stuffed meatballs, potato stuffed meatballs, tuber meatballs, bald meatballs are among the first to come to mind.
How to go to Malatya
Transportation to Malatya, where direct flights are made from Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, is quite easy. In addition, international flights are also organized periodically to the city. Malatya Erhac Airport is 29 km from the city center. You can find cheap flight tickets to Malatya by following the suitable flight ticket options and the campaigns of the airline companies. Malatya, which can be reached by intercity buses from almost anywhere in Turkey, can also be reached by the 4 September Blue Train departing from Ankara.
Malatya, the homeland of apricots, is a place to travel with pleasure, with its rich historical past, local flavors, streets and streets bearing Anatolian traces, and impressive architectural structures. The city, which is easier to visit as the airport in the city allows connection with airline tickets from all over Turkey, bears the traces of Anatolian culture.
